While the Jets 2014 Free Agent class is underwhelming, outside of RT Austin Howard, John Idzik will likely have to be hard at work signing players to contract extensions. Many of the Jets set to hit the open market the following year are key pieces on this team going forward. This coming offseason will also be the first offseason in which 2011 draft picks can rework their rookie deals. Here are some of the players that Idzik will look to sign to long-term extensions:

DE Muhammad WilkersonAge (9/1/2014): 24Current Future Contract Obligations:2013: $1,875,000 cap number (fully guaranteed)
2014: $2,187,500 cap number ($875,000 guaranteed)
2015: Team option; average salary of 3rd-25th highest players at position in 2014; must be picked up (or declined) after 2013 season

Signing Wilkerson to a long-term deal is an absolute must and the #1 priority for John Idzik. Wilkerson is arguably our best defensive player and possibly even best overall player at the age of only 23. Keeping Wilkerson likely will be expensive, but he is worth that money. The contracts likely to be given out to Geno Atkins and Henry Melton will help determine the contract Wilkerson will receive. It is unlikely he will receive as much money as Geno Atkins will, but that contract can give a great estimate on the market price for interior linemen. Atkins will likely receive at least $12,000,000 million per year and Melton's new deal likely will exceed $10,000,000 million per year. Right now, the best comparison we have for a Wilkerson long-term deal is the one signed by Calais Campbell last year for $55 million over 5 years. Wilkerson might cost a little more money than that.

After filling in wonderfully for Darrelle Revis in 2012, Antonio Cromartie proved himself to be more than worth the 4-year, $32 million deal he signed prior to the 2011 season. Now with Darrelle Revis a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cromartie is now our #1 CB and leader of the secondary. While Cromartie might not be quite as good as the man whose shoes he is filling, he is arguably a top 5 CB in his own regard. However, as Cromartie approaches the wrong side of 30, his play might decline over the next several years. As shown by the success that Champ Bailey had at the age of 34 in 2012, corners seem to have a longer shelf life than some other positions. In terms of yearly salary, Cromartie might look to match exceed the ~$10,000,000 that Cortland Finnegan and Brandon Carr earn.

While he is not on the level of Wilkerson and Cromartie, signing Jeremy Kerley to a long-term deal should be a priority for Idzik. Kerley is our most exciting playmaker on offense and likely our top receiver in 2014 (and possibly 2013 too). Kerley is developing into one of the greatest slot receivers in the NFL, which he provides in addition to his role in the Wildcat offense and on punt returns. Despite catching passes thrown by Mark Sanchez and Greg McElroy, Kerley posted an impressive 827 receiving yards in his sophomore season. He could be in line to receive a contract comparable to the 5-year, $28.5MM deal that Danny Amendola signed with the Patriots or the 5-year, $30.775MM deal that Brian Hartline signed with the Dolphins.

Largely as a result of the awfully constructed 4-year, $36MM deal that Mike Tannenbaum gave him, David Harris has been an underappreciated member of the team recently. While Harris might not quite deserve to be the highest paid ILB in the NFL (seriously, he is), he is worth a lot to this defense. He is by far the most experienced linebacker on the roster and, until proven otherwise, the best linebacker on the roster. As Harris approaches 30 years old, it is expected that his level of play will somewhat deteriorate during the life of his next contract. Harris could look at Dannell Ellerbe's 5-year, $34.75MM deal with the Dolphins and A.J. Hawk's 5-year, $33.75MM deal with the Packers as comparisons.

After a promising first season as the starting Right Tackle for the Jets in 2012, Austin Howard could be in line for a long-term extension. If he shows needed improvement in 2013 and looks to be the RT of the future, I expect Idzik to try to sign him to a new contract. As someone who was tendered at the second round value this offseason, Howard might look for a raise in average annual salary that could reach $5,000,000 per year. Howard might look for a contract similar to Todd Herremans' 5-year, $27.1MM deal with the Eagles.

After being relegated back to the #3 corner role with the addition of Dee Milliner, it appears that Wilson might prefer to sign elsewhere once his rookie contract. However, judging by the tough market for free agent corners in 2013, Wilson might not receive the offer and starting role he would desire. While it is still very possible that Wilson does not remain a Jet beyond the 2014 season, I will try to figure out what an extension for Wilson would look like. Wilson might be forced to settle for a deal somewhere between the 2-year, $5.25MM deal Bradley Fletcher signed with the Eagles and the 1-year, $5MM deal Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie signed with the Broncos.

So...which guys do you think the Jets should prioritize going forward? How important is retaining these potential building blocks long-term? How much would you want the Jets to pay to retain players like Wilkerson, Cromartie, and Kerley?

Last edited by green24 on Sat Aug 31, 2013 1:19 pm; edited 1 time in total

Depending on how Demario Davis Preforms I wouldn't reaign Harris. And imo I would bring back Kyle unless he makes a big leap this year but that's just my opinion_________________[Img/]http://imageshack.us/a/img822/4925/mrxc.png[\img]

No to Harris (wouldn't resign him), Cro (resign for either a shorter period or less per year), and Howard (probably wouldn't resign him because you find guys like him everwhere)

It should be very easy to cut Cromartie after the second or third year of his deal. I don't know if you can find guys with Howard's talent everywhere. Have we already forgotten Wayne Hunter?

5 million per year would put him at around the top 5 for RTs. I'd say he is no where near that, nor should we be spending big on a RT. And 10 million guaranteed would put him at #2 for RTs. I'd do a 3 year/9 million for Howard with 3 or 4 guaranteed but that's pretty much it._________________

No to Harris (wouldn't resign him), Cro (resign for either a shorter period or less per year), and Howard (probably wouldn't resign him because you find guys like him everwhere)

It should be very easy to cut Cromartie after the second or third year of his deal. I don't know if you can find guys with Howard's talent everywhere. Have we already forgotten Wayne Hunter?

5 million per year would put him at around the top 5 for RTs. I'd say he is no where near that, nor should we be spending big on a RT. And 10 million guaranteed would put him at #2 for RTs. I'd do a 3 year/9 million for Howard with 3 or 4 guaranteed but that's pretty much it.

There is an increasing premium being place on the position. Four of the five highest paid RTs were given those new contracts this offseason. Each of them will be making at least $6MM per year. Three of the first four picks in the draft this year are expected to start at RT as rookies.

Austin Howard is still young and probably hasn't reached his full potential yet. Now that teams have seen what he can do, let's see how well he does._________________
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